Healthy ageing helps us live a vibrant, fulfilling life well into retirement, but there’s one aspect many overlook – hearing health.
Neglecting hearing can mean missing out on meaningful connections, independence, and quality of life, especially as we get older. Yet a new survey reveals many adults are neglecting their hearing and may be missing out on potentially “life-changing” treatments.
The Healthy Ears, Healthy Years survey by Cochlear asked more than 4,000 adults across Asia Pacific their views on hearing loss. Surprisingly, 44% of those surveyed didn’t believe hearing loss could be effectively treated. However, 98% who sought treatment reported an improved quality of life, and a staggering 92% wished they had acted sooner.
So, why are so many adults reluctant to have their hearing tested or seek treatment?
Lack of awareness, treatment misunderstandings, and overestimating costs are key barriers, the survey reveals.
“Much more needs to be done to drive awareness of not only the prevalence of hearing loss, but also the different treatments available,” says Dr. Melville da Cruz, ENT Surgeon and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at the University of Sydney.
Awareness Gap on Hearing Loss
The survey, conducted by Wakefield Research in December 2024, involved adults 25 and older from Japan, China, Australia, and Singapore.
Despite 88% of adults surveyed believing they don’t have hearing loss, 29% described their hearing as “fair” or “poor.”¹ Meanwhile, 65% of adults surveyed across the region know someone hard of hearing, and 52% regularly interact with someone with hearing loss.
Lacking Priority
Most adults surveyed (84%) ranked hearing tests as necessary, alongside blood pressure checks and ahead of cancer screenings. Most believe everyone 50 and older should be regularly tested. This is backed by independent research: global guidelines recommend having your hearing tested every 1–3 years if you’re over 50.
Yet only 56% of adults surveyed over age 55 have had their hearing checked in the past 1–2 years, and 31% hadn’t been tested in the past five years. Of those surveyed, 52% said their doctor rarely raised hearing health during routine exams. In Australia and Japan, this was reported by 70% and 68% of adults, respectively.
Early Intervention Matters
Meanwhile, research shows that treating hearing loss early with the right treatment helps you live a fuller life. Hearing well as we age helps us live independently and confidently, and can also help keep the mind sharp. Yet 33% of adults surveyed would delay treatment if diagnosed with hearing loss, and 29% would wait until it interfered with daily life.
Cost Top Barrier
The survey reveals cost is the top treatment barrier in the surveyed countries, despite available treatment funding in many places. Results show 68% have avoided hearing care due to cost, and cost misconceptions mean 40% of adults won’t seek treatment.
Treatment confusion is also an issue: 25% mistakenly believed hearing aids and cochlear implants function in the same way. (Hearing aids amplify sound,¹² while cochlear implants provide clarity of sound, even in noisy environments.)
“Most forms of hearing loss can be treated. But since hearing loss is often gradual, many people delay testing and miss out on treatment that could make a real difference to their lives,” explains Dr. da Cruz. A myth also emerged that hearing screenings are only necessary for those in noisy occupations. However, genetics, illness, medications and ageing also cause hearing loss. As such, regular checks are important for everyone.
Given that 92% of adults surveyed with a hearing aid or cochlear implant wished they had sought treatment earlier, more needs to be done to drive awareness, dispel myths, and address hearing health misconceptions.
Taking action protects long-term health. Talk to a hearing health professional today.
